Letitia Wright

Biography

Letitia Wright is a Guyanese British Actress & Singer. She is popular for playing Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) and Black Panther(2018), Shuri in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Jules Skateboarder in The Commuter (2018), Nish in Black Mirror(2017), Chantelle in Top Boy(2011), Jamie Harrison in Urban Hymn (2016) among others.

Her recent works include playing Mo Washington in Surrounded(2023), playing the titular role in Aisha(2022), June Gibbons in The Silent Twins(2022)

Childhood

Letitia Michelle Wright was born on 31st October 1993 in Georgetown, Guyana. She was brought up in London where her parents moved to when Letitia was 7 years old. She grew up in Tottenham, North London, England.

Her mother is a Teacher. She has a brother named Ivan Bombokka. She grew up in England while her brother moved to Europe.

Education

• Finsbury Park primary school: She attended the school in North London
• Duke's Aldridge Academy: She attended the mixed school secondary school in Tottenham, London Borough of Haringey, North London, London. (AKA Northumberland Park Community School)
• Identity School of Acting: She attended the 'Identity School of Acting' academy at the age of 16 to hone her skills in acting. The founder of the institution 'Femi Oguns' signed her through his in-house agency. He also represents John Boyega, Cynthia Erivo.
• University of Guyana: University of Guyana awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in Arts at an Extraordinary Convocation Ceremony on February 1st 2023.

Facts & Trivia

• Letitia was inspired by Keke Palmer to become an actress, at the age of 17 she sent emails to lot of agents, she got picked up for minor roles initially, she got a breakthrough with Black Panther(2018).
• Stars of Tomorrow: Screen International recognized her as one of the stars of tomorrow in 2012
• Wonderland Magazine Best of Next: In 2015, the magazine listed her as one of the best stars of future.
• She was Broadcast Hotshots' Talent of 2015.
• She kept her acting in Black Panther a secret from her mother until the trailer was released.
• Casting director Caton-Jones who worked with her said of her "She was just fascinating from the beginning, loose and fluid, She has an emotional honesty. I have not felt like this about someone since Leonardo (Dicaprio). I have had plenty of really good actors" (He was Leonardo Dicaprio's casting director at age 16)
• Depression: She has been very vocal about her depression troubles. She has had depression troubles since the age of 20. She went through a bad phase when she was 20 and depression hasn't left her since. [3]
• She has a Guyanese accent. (Of course she has, she is from there)
• For her role in Urban Hymn she read the script and watched lot of documentaries on youtube about young offenders as a part of research.
• She likes Gospel Music, Indie music among various forms she likes.
• Her parents lived very close to the location of London Riots, Letitia experienced the bad times.
• Beginning of Acting: When she was 12, her teacher saw her jumping around everywhere and asked her to come to the acting class, she was given the role of Rosa Parks. She used American accent and the depth of story attracted her into acting. She studied Rosa Parks' for the role.
• She met Snoop Dogg at an after party, she said of him - "I just feel like he's a big uncle."
• She likes Science fiction movies
• Her Mantra when it comes to acting- "Less is more"
• She didn't like watching herself on screen at first.
• Singing: She was kept in a studio for 5 years and was told to try singing for her role in Black Panther, she had never sung before and it was a new experience for her. She admits to being a shower singer.
• Crystal Michelle was her stunt double on Avengers: Infinity War
• Aspiration: She wants to be a writer.
• Soulchild: She called herself- 'Soulchild' on her twitter profile.
• Her first acting was in a Christmas play where she played a ghost of past.
• She was a class clown when she was studying in London.
• Weird stuff: She delivered her resume to every casting agent in London, she wouldn't even knock on the door though, she would insert them into letter boxes and run away [5]
• Pretend emails: She would write herself pretend emails from WME (agents in U.K). Now she is represented by them [5]
• Michael Todd- She visits Michael Todd's Church often, he is one of her favorite pastors [8]

God (Jesus) & Spirituality

She is a devotional Christian. She became a religious Christianity when attending London actors' Bible study with the (acting school) classmate Malachi Kirby, she was in depression at the time and found religion helpful, she even sacrificed a role in the film "How to Talk to Girls at Parties" to have a personal time with God.

Spiritual Quotes

• If its Gods will for you to have it. It will be yours. There’s no forcing anything in the kingdom. [13]
• Please do not dim that beautiful light that's inside of your soul for anyone, Ever. [9]
• You can’t explain spiritual things to someone stuck in a carnal mindset. [12]
• As long as it’s done for the love and is impactful for the people. That’s all that matters. [11]
• Everybody has their thing that they’re truthful about. My thing is just a love of God [3]
• My friends and family called me an Old Soul, I hope that is good.
• Now time to hide away with Jesus! Restore my soul with God's love and presence.
• What is meant for you, won't pass you by.
• Be the light in the darkness.
• God willing I hope I have very many wonderful years of working on good projects.
• Very good thing isn’t always a GOD thing.. Spiritual discernment is so important. It may seem good, but is it meant for YOU? [15]
• We are here for a moment. To flourish as flowers do. Then we are gone. So make it count. [18]
• The only one you should be looking up to and glorifying is God above. [20]

Controversy

Letitia shared a youtube video titled "On The Table" by Tomi Arayomi, of Light London church on her Twitter account. The video questioned the legitimacy and efficacy of the vaccine and blamed China of intentionally spreading the Covid-19 virus.

The video was deleted by youtube for the violation of their policies, Letitia made a clarification that the post intended to raise genuine concerns that she herself had on injecting a new vaccine (containing parts of the virus) into our bodies. Eventually she disabled her Twitter account.

Hollywood Reporter alleged that she was sharing anti-vaccine sentiments on the sets of her movies and parted ways with her U.S representatives. However, her co-stars denied Letitia sharing anything like that on the sets.

Questions & Answers

Letitia's answers to fan questions and interviews"

• Who would play Letitia in her biopic: Naomie Harris
• Who inspired her to become an actress: Keke Palmer (in Akeelah and the Bee)
• How she fights nervousness: Praying.
• If she is stranded on an Island the Movie/ TV show/ Video Game she would take with her- Girlhood(Movie), Breaking Bad (TV show), Tekken(Video Game)
• Most challenging role she played- young offender (Jamie Harrison) in Urban Hymn (2016)
• Childhood hangout place:  Bruce Castle Park, White Hart Lane. Hollywood Green cinema in Wood Green, Alexandra Palace (All in Tottenham) [2]
•  

Career

2023

Surrounded

In Surrounded, a western drama directed by Anthony Mandler starring Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell, Jeffrey Donovan, Brett Gelman and others, Letitia plays the lead role of Moses Washington. 

The story revolves around former Buffalo Soldier Moses Washington, now a free woman after the civil war, her travels to the west in man's disguise to lay claim to a gold mine

2022

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Letitia assumes the lead character in the Black Panther Sequel. When T'Challa, the king of Wakanda suffers from an unknown terminal illness, Shuri tries to cure him, but before she could do that, he unfortunately dies.

When Wakanda is in trouble again and Wakanda desparately needs a saviour, Shuri takes on the responsibility and becomes Black Panther.

Aisha: In the Irish drama by Frank Berry, Letitia plays the titular role of Aisha opposite Josh O'Connor. Aisha is a Nigerian worker caught in Ireland's immigration system.

The Silent Twins: In the biographical drama of twin sisters June and Jennifer Gibbons, Letitia plays June Gibbons and Tamara Lawrance plays Jennifer Gibbons. The story is about June and Jennifer's survival in an unwelcoming community, the sisters turn inward for inspiration and rely upon themselves alone.

Death on the Nile: In this mystery film Death on the Nile, a film adaptation of Agatha Christie's work  directed by Kenneth Branagh Letitia plays Rosalie Otterbourne, Salome's niece and business manager.

2021

Sing 2: She voiced the character Nooshy in the animation musical comedy Sing 2. Nooshy is a lynx street dancer who becomes Johnny's (a teenage gorilla singer and pianist) dance instructor.

2020

Small Axe: Letitia plays "Altheia Jones" in the period drama based on the West Indian community's real life experiences in 1960s and 1980s

Death on the Nile- She plays Rosalie Otterbourne in the murder crime mystery film set in Egypt, starring Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening

2019

Avengers: Endgame- She reprised her role as Shuri in the Avengers movie. She had a small role, the movie is the highest grossing movie of all times.

Guava Island- Letitia plays Yara, the friend of Kofi (Rihanna) in this musical movie. They are co-workers in a factory. Donald Glover, Nonso Anozie played the other leading roles

2018

Black Panther- She plays Shuri, the younger sister of T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), daughter of Ramonda (Angela Bassett), She plays a science geek superhero who is known for her innovations. Shuri is said to be the smartest super hero character ever, smarter than even Tony Stark (Iron Man). Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya played other important roles.

She appeared in one of Drake's music videos titled "Nice for What"

She appeared on the series "On Christmas Night" on the Christmas eve of 2018

Avengers: Infinity War- She helps to extract the Mind Stone from Vision in the movie.

She plays a rebel (seen in Samantha's safe house) in the movie "Ready Player One". 

She plays "Jules Skateboarder" in the action mystery "The Commuter"

2017

Black Mirror- She plays "Nish" in the "Black Museum" Episode of "Black Mirror" (season 4 Episode 6). Nish stops near the "Black Museum" to charge her car and enters the Museum. She is the daughter of convicted murderer Clayton. She poisons "Rolo"- the owner of the Museum and transfered Rolo's consciousness into Clayton's head.

Maxine Peake & Letitia Wright play the main roles in the short movie "Cake". they are seen sitting in a asteland discussing the best way to die

2016

Humans- She appears as Renie in the second season of the show. She plays character of a human living like a Synth. She plays the date of Toby Hawkings (Theo Stevenson)

2015

Appeared in "Face the Raven" episode of "Doctor Who" (season 9 Episode 10) as Anahson, the daughter of Anah (2 faces Janus) who was killed.

Urban Hymn- She plays the lead role of Jamie- a troubled teenage girl with a great singing talent who meets Kate (Shirley Henderson), a social worker who encourages the talented girl. Isabella Laughland, Ian Hart, Steven Mackintosh also appear in major roles.

She played Vivienne Scott in the drama series "Cucumber" & "Banana". Played "Taylor Davis" in "Chasing Shadows"

2014

Played "Amal" in the TV movie "Glasgow Girls"- a story of refugees waiting to be deported

2013

Coming Up- She plays Hannah, the friend of Gemma from Sierra Leone returning back to her home to have female circumcision.

2012

Plays a minor role of "Aisha" in "My Brother the Devil"

2011

Top Boy- She plays Chantelle in the gangster Crime drama thriller in the Series- "Top Buy"

Played Nyla in the Action Drama "Victim". Appeared in the TV movie "Random". Played "Ellie Maynard' in the TV series "Holby City" in the episodes- "Tunnel Vision", "Crossing the Line"

Filmography

Movies List

TV Series List

Music Videos

Awards

News & Updates

• Bazaar UK cover: Appeared on the cover page of 2019 December edition of Bazaar UK [7]
• She has appeared on "The Hollywood Reporter" magazine cover in November 2018
•  

Quotes

• I'm really really honored to play Shuri in Black Panthers. I moon walked to the bus stand after hearing from my agent that I had been selected.
• [About working with "Fantastic" Ryan Coogler] It was amazing to work with him, I want to work with him again, he is a truly amazing person, also has a good heart, he really cares. He cares about the character, story, he cares what actors think about the character, he is willing to collaborate on character building.
• Sometimes inspiration comes from seeing, seeing someone else doing, seeing that it is possible, that anything is possible.
• I pretty much watch all of Keke Palmer, she is an inspiration to movie.
• [About the movie Black Panther] What appealed to me was the fact that the character that is a superhero is from Africa, immediately I know it would be different, something special.
• [About black British people going to America for acting roles] We need to change things here.
• We are all people, no matter what color. Labels separate us
• If you can find good people to give you good advice when you need it that would be great.
• I want people to enjoy my work.
• From a very young age I have been a believer in myself, pretty much like a self motivator, people can have faith in you one day, lose it another day.
• It is important to get a taste of all different worlds, be it Blockbusters, Indie movies
• I'm a fan of films, it is something I like doing it.
• I see myself as a calm person, I'm not aggressive, I meditate
• Wherever the good stories are, I'm trying to place myself there
• I try to be careful when talking about Race issues, it can get political. We need to start loving each other and get over the competition, it is getting really old and repetitive. 
• With talent, I believe if one is focused, diligent, persevering, some door is going to open, no matter what race one is.
• Everyone is comfortable singing in their environments, it is difficult when you are put on the stage.
• I never have big expectations, I try to be as humble as possible.
• As an actor you have to have a goal, I have been making since I was 17.
• I don't think I have yearning to be a celebrity
• I love cinematographers, I think they are very crucial to a movie
• Do the work in silence, leave an impact on the people, rest in solitude. Then repeat.
• My intuition is telling me there’ll be better days.
• I love theater, it is where every actor should begin, the core of acting.
• I'll always be a north London girl [2]
• Stop worrying about what other people think about you! Can’t please everyone. [10]
• I always ask questions... I’d rather look silly for not knowing, than nod in agreement and be misinformed [16]
• Not saying to accept disrespect or bad behavior given to you. No way. But to love and forgive, to not hold any bad vibes in your heart toward that person. Is freedom. Let God sort their hearts out. You be free from hurt [17]
• Why be upset or disappointed when someone doesn’t meet your expectations. They’ve showed you who they are in that situation. Learn from it. And save that love for folks who appreciate it. [19]
•  

Sources

1. Letitia Wright Wiki
2. Letitia Wright Timeout interview
3. Letitia- Vanity Fair- Expectations
4. IMDB Bio
5. The Hollywood Reporter- Interview
6. Madame interview
7. Bazaar UK cover
8. Pastor Michael Todd
9. Light and soul quote
10. Quote- pleasing others
11. Quote- Love for work
12. Quote on Spirituality & carnal desire
13. Quote- God's will
14. On Kelvin Harrison Jr.
15. Quote- God & Destiny
16. Quote- asking questions
17. Quote- Forget & Forgive
18. Quote- Momentary Life
19. Quote- Being upset
20. Glorifying God
21.